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Tengku Abdullah wants team to qualify for next year’s World Cup

Horsing around: MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (left) having fun watching physiotherapist Yeo In-seung do a Gangnam dance. Looking on are (from second left) national coach Paul Revington, NSC hockey liaison officer Nur Azlan Shah and strength and conditioning coach Behrad Honar. Horsing around: MHC president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (left) having fun watching physiotherapist Yeo In-seung do a Gangnam dance. Looking on are (from second left) national coach Paul Revington, NSC hockey liaison officer Nur Azlan Shah and strength and conditioning coach Behrad Honar.
 
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah wants national coach Paul Revington and the players to stay focused on the World League semi-finals, which begins in Johor Baru next week.

“I also want the national coaches and players to stay united to produce good results in Johor Baru,” said Tengku Abdullah yesterday.
“I don’t want any more outside interferences. I also don’t want any quarters to make any comments that can jeopardise our team’s performances.

“I also don’t want to talk about what transpired among the national coaches in the last few days.
“I’m glad that the issue among the national coaches has been settle. Let bygones be bygones.
“Let’s work together to make sure the national team qualify for next year’s World Cup.
“The public have high expectations for the team to qualify for the World Cup.

“Failure to qualify for the World Cup is not only the failure of the team but also a failure for me as the president,” added Tengku Abdullah after having high-tea with the national players, Revington, national assistant coach S. Arul Selvaraj and team manager George Koshy.

National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkples Embong, MHC senior vice-president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad and MHC secretary Johari Aziz also attended the high-tea at a hotel here.
Last Saturday, Revington shocked the MHC by quitting the national team due to outside interference.
But the South African has decided to continue training the team for the World League semi-finals.
Tengku Abdullah said that if the issue cropped up again, he would take drastic actions against those responsible for creating problems in the national team.

“But the good news is the national players are injury-free ... that’s a big boost for the team in the World League,” he said.

“I want the players to be professional by taking care of themselves by having their meals on time, having enough sleep and avoiding things that can jeopardise their performance.
“The players must rise to the occasion and qualify for the World Cup. The players will be rewarded with a bonus if we book a place in the World Cup.

“Qualifying for the World Cup will also help make hockey one of the top sports in the country and encourage more private companies to sponsor the game,” said Tengku Abdullah.
Asked about the haze situation in Johor Baru, Tengku Abdullah hoped that the situation would improve by next week.

“We are monitoring the situation and hope it will rain next week ... to clear the haze,” said Tengku Abdullah.


The Star

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